Upcoming Events

BACH      St John Passion, BWV 245 Daniel Norman Evangelist David Stout Christ Mary Bevan soprano Katie Bray mezzo-soprano Joshua Ellicott tenor Tristan Hambleton bass The Choir of The Queen’s College  Owen Rees conductor Drama and suffering lie at the heart of Bach’s concentrated depiction of Christ’s arrest, rendition and execution, the St John Passion. But this probing, unsettling yet beautiful work is also one of Bach’s most optimistic, ending with a confident look to the future that invites us all, irrespective of faith, to partake in…

Multi-award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Eliza Carthy is one of the most recognisable faces of the English folk revival. This concert features music from Restitute, her first solo album of traditional music in 14 years, originally recorded at Eliza’s home in the picturesque Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire. The band comprises Eliza Carthy, Ben Seal, Ben Somers, Willy Molleson and David Delarre – with support slot and special guest appearance from Saul Rose. In addition to material from Restitute, the band will perform songs from brand new recordings of original songs by Eliza Carthy & Ben Seal…

Some birds will swoop low over your heads and some will soar high in the sky over the Park’s beautiful grounds. See a variety of different birds from eagles to owls in these exciting demonstrations by Cotswold Falconry, which take place at 1.00 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. on the lawns in front of the Manor house on specific days.

The Museum Book Group enjoy a wide selection of books with all members choosing their reading list then they get together in the Museum Cafe every second Friday of the month. It is free to attend but we do ask you support the Cafe. For more information and to join call the Museum on 01235 771447, email info@valeanddownlandmuseum.org.uk or send us a message.

Wed 15 Apr, 2–4pm Lecture Theatre With Tim Porter, Historian The city of Hereford stands a couple of hours from Oxford along one of the most scenic train rides in England. Follow the Medieval Pilgrim trail, discovering a landscape alive with holy wells, sacred shrines, ancient mysteries and miraculous saints. This is an Afternoon Tea Talk, with tea and cakes provided. Booking essential.

FAMILY FUN Thu 16 & Fri 17 Apr, 2–4pm Learning Studio Celebrate the season with Spring-themed crafts and listen to an ancient story of Spring in the galleries. FREE, drop-in. No booking is required. Something for all ages to enjoy.  

The Museum's Knit Knot and Natter Craft Group meet in the Museum Cafe every 3rd Friday of the month. Bring along your own craft projects, take tuition from current members in crafts such as knitting, crochet and embroidery or just come along for a cuppa and a chat. Free to join but we do ask you support the Cafe. No need to book in advance, just come along on the day

Find yourself right in the middle of an immersive world, from ancient rite to banging club. What has changed in 4,000 years of dance culture? It’s May Day 1988, the Second Summer of Love. Martin Green (fearless inventor and accordion player in esteemed folk trio Lau)  is nine years old and morris dancing at dawn while the ravers are still going in the next field. What’s the difference? What’s the same? Martin Green leads us through a mind-altering, bespoke audience…

Blenheim 7k, 1 mile junior run and 4 miles on wheels, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, 19 April Run, jog or walk for charity or for fun at the World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock in Oxfordshire, the stunning venue for the annual Blenheim 7k on 19 April, sponsored by Freeths solicitors and the Oxford Business Park. There are three events to offer a race for all ages and abilities: the 7k takes a scenic route around the trails and paths of…

In 1940, at the beginning of the Second World War, Stalin’s troops invaded eastern Poland. A million Polish people were forced from their homes at gunpoint and sent to labour camps in Siberia. Diana Forster’s mother and grandparents were among them. Diana avoids showing traumatic, disturbing images in her installations and prints as they can turn viewers away. If we accept a role for art in presenting subsequent generations with the realities of war, we have to find new ways…

Wed 22 Apr, 2–4pm Lecture Theatre With Alice Foster, Art Historian One of the great triumvirate of High Renaissance masters, Raphael is famous for his calm serenity in even the most dramatic of his paintings. This year marks the 500th anniversary of his death, and Alice Foster re-evaluates the work of this celebrated artist. This is an Afternoon Tea Talk, with tea and cakes provided. Booking essential.

Wed 22 Apr, 6–9.30pm Rooftop Restaurant With An Van Camp, Curator, & Martin Beek, Artist Uncover the great Dutch artist’s techniques for perfecting his self-portraits during an exclusive private view of the Young Rembrandt exhibition introduced by the Curator. After which, try your hand at your own self-portrait with a fun and informal 'Sip & Sketch' in the Rooftop Restaurant. A Dutch-inspired light bites menu will be available. £35 per person. Booking essential.

A violinist. Living in her trendy canal-side Amsterdam apartment. Nine months pregnant. One day a mysterious unpaid gas bill from 1944 arrives. It awakens unsettling feelings of collective identity, foreignness and alienation. Stories of a devastating past are compellingly reconstructed to try and make sense of the present. Amsterdam is the UK premiere of a strikingly original and audacious play by award-winning Israeli playwright Maya Arad Yasur. Age guidance: 14+

Fri 24 Apr, 6–7pm Lecture Theatre With Christiaan Vogelaar Learn about the young Rembrandt's rise to fame. A major breakthrough happened when the Prince of Orange, Frederick Henry, began to commission works from the artist, some of which are on display in the Young Rembrandt exhibition and are considered Rembrandt’s first masterpieces. This talk is part of our Young Rembrandt After Hours event. £8/£7/£6 Full, Concession, Members.

Fri 24 Apr, 6–7pm Lecture Theatre With Christiaan Vogelaar Learn about the young Rembrandt's rise to fame. A major breakthrough happened when the Prince of Orange, Frederick Henry, began to commission works from the artist, some of which are on display in the Young Rembrandt exhibition and are considered Rembrandt’s first masterpieces. This talk is part of our Young Rembrandt After Hours event. £8/£7/£6 Full, Concession, Members.

Join us for a day of Penguin related activities and competitions, all located by the Penguin pool, in aid of the “Sphenisco” charity, dedicated to the conservation of Humboldt Penguins. Penguin talk and feed at 11am and 3pm. Help feed the Penguins at 1pm for £1 donation (subject to availability).

Mark uses his trademark style of storytelling, stand-up, subversion and really, really, well researched material to try and find out how the hell we ended up in the middle of this shit show. 50 Things About Us is a show about songs, gongs, loot, tradition, wigs, nicking, statues, art and identity. A sort of funny national edition of Who Do You Think You Are? Mark says, “Look, I have been doing this for 34 years. I have gone from stand-up to theatre…